According to the latest data from Indonesia's Statistics Agency (BPS), full-year inflation reached 3.02 percent in 2016, just within the 3 - 5 percent year-on-year (y/y) target range that was set by the central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia). The 3.02 percent growth was the lowest annual inflation figure of Indonesia since 2012. In December 2016 Indonesia's consumer price index rose by 0.42 percent month-to-month (m/m), one of the lowest monthly (December) growth paces over the past decade.

Read more ›

On 25 December 2016, Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website over the last seven days. Most of the topics involve political, social and economy-related topics such as the performance of Indonesian stocks and the rupiah, infrastructure, radical Islam, palm oil, inflation, credit ratings, the visa-free facility, and more.

Read more ›

The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) expects inflation to reach the range of 0.50-0.60 percent month-on-month (m/m) in December 2016 as Christmas and New Year celebrations, traditionally, give rise to higher consumer spending. The projection would also imply that full-year inflation will fall well within Bank Indonesia's target range of 3.0 - 5.0 percent (y/y) in 2016 (year-to-date, Indonesian inflation has accumulated to 2.59 percent), the second straight year of mild inflation (for Indonesian standards).

Read more ›

Inflation in Indonesia accelerated to 3.58 percent year-on-year (y/y) in November 2016, from 3.31 percent (y/y) in the preceding month. Acceleration of Indonesian inflation last month was faster than expected, with estimates averaging 3.43 percent (y/y). On a month-on-month (m/m) basis inflation rose by 0.47 percent in November. Indonesia's Statistics Agency (BPS) announced the country's latest inflation data just before noon on Thursday (01/12).

Read more ›

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced that inflation in Indonesia was recorded at 0.14 percent month-on-month (m/m) in October 2016, slightly higher than had been expected by analysts but lower compared to the 0.22 percent (m/m) of inflation that was reported in the preceding month. Meanwhile, on an annual basis (y/y), Indonesia's inflation rate accelerated to a seasonally adjusted 3.31 percent (y/y) in October, from 3.07 percent (y/y) in the preceding month.

Read more ›

According to the latest survey of Indonesia's central bank (Bank Indonesia), consumer confidence in Southeast Asia's largest economy fell 3.3 points to 110 in September 2016 (a reading above 100.0 indicates optimism). Consumer confidence somewhat weakened as the Indonesian people expect upward price pressures at the year-end, specifically rising prices of processed food, beverages, cigarettes, tobacco and groceries. Meanwhile, respondents also expect to put less money in savings in the next six months.

Read more ›

Indonesia's consumer price index (CPI) expanded 3.07 percent year-on-year (y/y) in September, up from the 2.79 percent (y/y) pace in the preceding month but remaining at a comfortably low level (for Indonesian standards). According to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), released earlier this morning (03/10), Indonesia's monthly inflation rate was 0.22 percent in September 2016, roughly in line with analysts' forecasts and the low inflation environment could be a reason for the central bank to cut its key interest rates again later this year.

Read more ›

The central bank of Indonesia (Bank Indonesia) stated that up to the third week of August deflation reached 0.06 percent month-to-month (m/m). Juda Agung, Executive Director at Bank Indonesia's Economic and Monetary Policy Department, said consumer demand has diminished after previously peaking during the Islamic Ramadan and Idul Fitri celebrations in June and July. Usually the month of August sees inflationary pressures (caused by the new school year). This year, however, it may be the first time in many years that August brings deflation.

Read more ›

After six years of steady decline, the Indonesian rupiah is likely to have appreciated against the US dollar at the end of 2016. So far this year, the currency of Indonesia has appreciated 4.8 percent to IDR 13,126 against the greenback (Bloomberg Dollar Index) supported by capital inflows, particularly into government bonds and stocks as well as the delay in further monetary tightening in the USA. Although the rupiah should depreciate a bit as we go towards the end of the year, it is set to finish the year at a stronger level than it started.

Read more ›

On 7 August 2016, Indonesia Investments released the latest edition of its newsletter. This free newsletter, which is sent to our subscribers once per week, contains the most important news stories from Indonesia that have been reported on our website over the last seven days. Most of the topics involve economic matters such as Indonesia's Q2-2016 GDP growth result, July inflation and manufacturing, the tax amnesty program, coal mining, monetary and fiscal policies, the tobacco industry, and much more.

Read more ›

Throughout the month of May, the level of volatility of Indonesia's main stock index (IHSG) has been remarkable and interesting. At the start of the month we were shocked by Standard & Poor's downgrade of Indonesia's credit rating outlook as well as Moody's warning to take similar measures as Indonesia had been slow to deal with its subsidized fuel policy. These issues were able to drag the index down. Moreover, the threat of higher inflation triggers concerns that the index would show its traditional fall in the month of May.

Read more ›

Although Indonesia’s government stresses the need to relieve pressure on the state budget (by raising the price of subsidized fuel next month), it plans to allocate an additional IDR 16.1 trillion (USD $1.65 billion) to this year’s fuel subsidy budget. The additional allocation, which covers fuel, LPG and vegetable fuels, will raise government expenditure on fuel subsidies to IDR 209.9 trillion (USD $21.50 billion) from the IDR 193.8 trillion drafted in the original 2013 state budget (APBN 2013). Total energy subsidies will grow to IDR 309.9 trillion this year.

Read more ›

Last week, Indonesia's main stock index (IHSG) moved remarkably well. The index managed to set a new record high at 5145.68 points on Friday (17/05/13) as it was pushed up by its strongest pillar of support, the consumer sector. Indonesia's consumer sector rose as much as 8.23 percent last week, while the largest obstacle to growth was the country's mining sector, which experienced a correction of 3.31 percent. What are the underlying reasons of last week's gain towards yet another record high? And is it sustainable?

Read more ›

Positive American and European stock indices on Tuesday (14/05/13) made a good impact on Asian stock indices on Wednesday (15/05/13), including Indonesia's main index (IHSG) which is heading towards the 5,100 points line. Although many foreign investors were eager to sell their Indonesian assets, support from other Asian stock indices kept the IHSG within the green zone. At the end of the trading day, it stood at 5,089.88 points, a 0.16 percent rise.

Read more ›

One of the sectors that showed exceptional growth in 2012 was Indonesia's property market. On average, net profit of companies engaged in Indonesia's property sector grew 68 percent during the full year. Of the 45 property companies that are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), 26 posted net profit growth that exceeded 50 percent. But the success story did not end there. In the first quarter of 2013, the property sectoral index of the IDX continued its fast pace by rising over 41 percent.

Read more ›

The release of Indonesia's April deflation figure (0.10%) and orderly May Day demonstrations provided a good environment for investors to continue purchasing Indonesian stocks (despite uncertainty about Indonesia's subsidized fuel policy. Moreover, positive Asian stock indices - in combination with positive European openings on Wednesday - made the Indonesia Stock Index (IHSG) rise to a new record level of 5,060.92 points on Wednesday (01/05/13), a 0.53 percent gain.

Read more ›

Even though American and European stock indices were positive on Monday (in fact S&P 500 set a new record) it did not impact directly on the performance of Indonesia's main stock index (IHSG) on Tuesday (30/04/13). In the first session, the IHSG's peak at 5,014 points was only short-lived and quickly lowered again. In the second session, however, the index started to show more solid growth (despite the ongoing uncertainty about Indonesia's subsidized fuel price) as Asian stock markets were mostly up.

Read more ›

After two consecutive days of decline, the Jakarta Composite index (IHSG) had no intention to continue its fall. Indonesia's main index was able to rise 0.43 percent to 4,999.75 points on Monday 29 April 2013. Stocks that had been weakening in recent days were popular among investors. Moreover, both Asian stock indices and foreign net purchases of Indonesian stocks supported Indonesia's index, although it fell short of reaching the psychological boundary of 5,000 points.

Read more ›

One piece of evidence of international confidence in the Indonesian economy is the steady upgrades in the country's credit ratings by international financial services companies such as Standard & Poor's, Fitch Ratings and Moody's. In late 2011, Fitch Ratings was the first to reinstate Indonesia's investment grade status after a 14-year hiatus. In January 2012, Moody’s followed suit citing the country’s resilient economy. S&P may follow soon, depending on the fuel price hike issue.

Read more ›

Last week Indonesia's main stock index (IHSG) was mixed with a weakening trend. The index lost 19.9 points, equivalent to 0.40 percent of its value. During the last month, the index consolidated within the range of 4,800 and 5,030 points. Foreign funds continued to pour in and trade volume remained high although below average trade in the last three weeks. In fact, our technical indicators are showing signs that Indonesia's main stock index has become saturated.

Read more ›